Sixth Sunday after Epiphany
Reformation, Media
Larry V. Smoose
How seriously do you take the Gospel of Jesus Christ? What’s it mean in your life? Has it made a difference – because it’s made a difference in my life. I think those were probably some of the questions that Paul was asking the Corinthians – and if asking them has made you think a bit, then maybe they are still questions that are relevant today. The entire worship service revolves around the power of the Gospel – a Gospel proclaimed in preaching and a Gospel experienced in Holy Communion.
Our lessons from Scripture draw upon actual events and experiences in the life of Jesus, or one of the prophets of the Old Testament or one of Jesus’ followers – like Paul -- in the New Testament. We read these stories because over the centuries, people have realized that God’s power is at work in the events recorded in scripture. And, that same God at work today and the experiences of the people in those stories are or can be the experiences we have today.
So here is Paul writing to the church in Corinth – a church whose mission was being stymied by quarrels among various groups and problems with some of the behaviors of church members. Their attitudes and actions were confusing to those outside the church and sometimes scandalizing those inside the church. Some people were acting as if they were spiritually superior. Others were sitting in the front pews on Sunday morning but during the week were going to brothels or pagan ceremonies as if they could do whatever they pleased and it did not matter to God what they did. Corinth itself was a pretty wide open town – international trading city where everything goes – you might say “What happens in Corinth – stays in Corinth.”
Does the Gospel make a difference in your life? It does in mine, says Paul – and then as if to help them understand what a difference Jesus can make in their lives, Paul uses a familiar image and offers an invitation. He uses the imagery of sports – The Corinthians, like Philadelphians loved sports – the Ismythian games were second only to those at Olympus. Paul was an intense kind of a guy – a Dick Vermeil or Bill Cowher type of coach –passionate and fully engaged in trying to mold the Corinthians into the best Christians they could be, the best congregation that they could be – for the sake of the Gospel! And for the sake of their own lives.
Paul knew how difficult life could be. He had been through a career change, his work was arduous -- sometimes rewarding but sometimes frustrating. He had known personal illness and tragedy. He had been in jail, beaten and shipwrecked. Every time he had been knocked down, he had to try to get up – and because of the Gospel, he realized that every time he had been down, God was there to help him get up. And so the image of an athlete in training would be a natural image for Paul – all of the effort to run a race – to strain every sinew, to give every ounce of energy for the sake of a coveted wreath.
Discipleship takes energy, it requires effort, it benefits from discipline and in the race of life, Paul was convinced that the Christian discipline would make the most difference in people’s lives because they would tap in to the power of God’s Holy Spirit. By that power they could gain courage when courage seemed to fail; regain faith when there seems to be little cause for faith; to create hope when hope becomes forlorn. The image of the athlete seemed appropriate as Paul encouraged the Corinthians (and us) to Get in the game – to participate in the exciting venture called discipleship. And if Paul were going to give an example of what discipleship was like, I don’t think he would use Michael Phelps or Carl Lewis or a Bruce Jenner. I think he would talk about Derek Redmond.
Redmond was determined to win a medal in the 400 meter at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. He had shattered the British record at age 19 but at the 1988 Olympics had been forced to withdraw just 10 minutes before the race because of an Achilles heel injury. He had five surgeries over the next year and began the long road of rehabilitation and training. He had climbed all the way back to being one of the best in the world and the 1992 games were his chance to run the race.
The day of the race, Derek and has father reminisced about what it took for Derek to get to this point – all of the past heartbreaks and failures and they agreed that if anything bad would happen, not matter what it is, Derek had to finish the race – period. That’s what discipleship is about says Paul – it’s running to finish the race, it’s overcoming the disappointments and difficulties, and you’ll have encouragement – think about all of the people of faith who went before you – that great cloud of witnesses who themselves have completed the race and now cheer us on, with Jesus our Lord at the very center, the one who endured the cross for our sake and now sits at the right hand of God.
Surely, with such encouragement, we can lay aside every weight and run with perseverance the race that is set before us, for we run not for a perishable wreath, but an imperishable crown that is reserved not just for one, but for all those who finish the race. The key is to get in the game – to leave it all on the field – to run the race.
VIDEO
Run the Race – says Paul – do the best you can do – do the best you can do – For the Gospel we proclaim is also the Gospel that has been given to us – that when we stumble and fall, it is our heavenly Father who himself comes out onto the track, lifts us up, whispers his words of love in our ear “My grace is sufficient for you,” and helps us across the finish. And Paul himself, at the end of his life said to young Timothy – “Now my time has come . . . I have fought the fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith – now there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, and not only for me, but also to all who are running the race, all who have loved our Lord.
So if you're stumbling
through the valley
Or if you're tempted to give up the fight
Reach out your hand and I will lead you
I will be your strong arm in the night
And when your life is tossed and turning
And you are
on the raging sea
I'll come and pull you from the water
Then you will know that you are free
Amen